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32 son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne 33 of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; 34 and of his kingdom there shall be no end.1 Then said Mary unto the 35 angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing 36 which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this 37 is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing 38 shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

39

§4. MARY VISITS ELISABETH.-Jutta?

LUKE I. 39-56.

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, 40 into a city of Juda;2 and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted 41 Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation

of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the 42 Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art 43 thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is 44 this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? for, lo, as soon

as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my 45 womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

46 47 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath 48 rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me 49 blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is 50 his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to 51 generation. He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the 52 proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty 53 from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry 54 with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen 55 his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; as he spake to our fathers, 56 to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.3 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

§ 5. BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.—Jutta?

LUKE I. 57-80.

57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she 58 brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

59

4

And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the 60 child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And 61 his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this 62 name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

1 Comp. Mic. 4. 7.

2 Or perhaps, into a city, Juda (eis móλiv Iovdá). The conjecture of Reland is probably correct, viz. that Juda here is a softened form for Juta, Heb. or, i. e. Jutah or Juttah, a city of the

T%

priests in the mountains of Judah, south of He-
bron; Josh. 15. 55; 21. 16. The place still exists
under the same name. See Relandi Palæst.p. 870.
Robinson's Bibl. Researches in Palest. ii. p. 628.
3 Comp. Isa. 41. 8, 9; Gen. 22. 16, sq.
4 Lev. 12. 3.

LUKE I.

63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. 64 And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his 65 tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad through66 out all the hill country of Judea. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, 68 saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed 69 his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of 70 his servant David; as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which 71 have been since the world began: that we should be saved from our ene72 mies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy promised 73 to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; the oath which he 74 sware to our father Abraham,' that he would grant unto us, that we being 75 delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in 76 holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before 77 the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; to give knowledge of salvation 78 unto his people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy 79 of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our 80 feet into the way of peace. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel.

18

2

6. AN ANGEL APPEARS TO JOSEPH.-Nazareth.

MATT. I. 18-25.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found 19 with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away 20 privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the 21 Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name 22 JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, say23 ing, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had 25 bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

1

3

§ 7. THE BIRTH OF JESUS.—Bethlehem.

LUKE II. 1–7.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from 2 Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was 3 first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.5) And all went to be taxed,

1 Gen. 22. 15-18.

2 Mal. 4. 2; Isa. 9. 2.

3 Isa. 7. 14. 4 On the time of the Nativity, see note on this section in the Appendix.

5 The rendering of this verse, according to

Greswell, (Dissert. XII. p. 523. vol. i.,) ought rather to be-This enrolment took place before Cyrenius was governor of Syria. Wieseler forcibly maintains nearly the same opinion. Chron. Synopse du 4 Evangelien, p. 111-121.

LUKE I.

4 every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called 5 Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David :) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished 7 that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8

§ 8. AN ANGEL APPEARS TO THE SHEPHERDS.-Near Bethlehem.

LUKE II. 8-20.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping 9 watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were 10 sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, Í bring 11 you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you

is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swad13 dling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel 14 a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made 16 known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, 17 and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made 18 known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And

all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the 19 shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her 20 heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21

§ 9. THE CIRCUMCISION OF JESUS, AND HIS PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE. Bethlehem, Jerusalem.

LUKE II. 21-38.

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child,1 his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he 22 was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jeru23 salem, to present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord,2 24 Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord,3 A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

25

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: 26 and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's 27 Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents 28 brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then 29 took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest 30 thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes 31 have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all

1 Gen. 17. 12; Lev. 12. 3.

2 Ex. 13. 2. Comp. Num. 8. 16, 17.

3 Lev. 12. 6, 8.

LUKE II.

32 people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken 34 of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and 35 for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven 37 years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings 38 and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

1

§ 10. THE MAGI.2-Jerusalem, Bethlehem.

MATT. II. 1-12.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod 2 the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in 3 the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard 4 these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he de5 manded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, 6 In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet,3 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them dili8 gently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the 10 young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding 11 great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and 12 frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

9

§ 11. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.

13

HEROD'S CRUELTY. THE RETURN.-Bethlehem,
Nazareth.

MATT. II. 13-23.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod 14 will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young 15 child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there

1 Comp. Isa. 8. 14.

2 The visit of the Magi at Bethlehem naturally follows the presentation in the temple; since, after the jealousy of Herod had been once roused, this public presentation could not well have taken place. Joseph and Mary return from Jerusalem

to Bethlehem, distant five English miles, where they had now been detained for nearly two months. Luke indeed does not allude to this return (2. 39); but neither does he mention the flight into Egypt.

3 Mic. 5. 2.

MATT. II.

16

until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, accord17 ing to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,3 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

19

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a 20 dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the 21 young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, 22 and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of 39 God in a dream, he turned aside 23 into the parts of Galilee: and he

41

came and dwelt in a city called 40
Nazareth that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken by the prophets,
He shall be called a Nazarene1

LUKE II. 39, 40.

And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

§ 12. AT TWELVE YEARS OF AGE JESUS GOES TO THE PASSOVER.-Jerusalem.

LUKE II. 41-52.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the 43 custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother 44 knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acAnd when they found him not, they turned back again to seeking him.

4Jerusalem.

46

And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them 47 questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding 48 and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother

said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father 49 and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that 50 ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject 52 unto them but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

1 Hos. 11. 1.

? All the children, rather, all the boys (návras Tous Taidas): there was no inducement to kill the female children.

3 Jer. 31. 15. Comp. Jer. 40. 1.

4 Isa. 11. 1, in the Hebrew. Comp. Isa. 53. 2; Zech. 6. 12; Rev. 5. 5.

5 Deut. 16. 1-8.

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